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~~ Fire Reports 61 - b7 were read and noted. Mayor Warkentien called on Mr. Jack Hanley of the engineering firm of Fowler-Hanley, Inc. and Mr. Frank Nemeth of the architectural firm of Ralph Rapson & Associates, Inc. to make their presentation on the World AGROmart proposal. Mayor Warkentien opened the dis- cussion by stating that so far the plans for World AGRAmart were nebulous, but felt that the people of Falcon Heights should know about the general planning of World AGROmart and the firms involved. He further stated that Mr. Hanley had tried to schedule a meeting before the Council previously, but felt that at that time there would have been to marry questions because of Minnesota's open meeting law. Mayor Waxicentien stated that the World AGR;Omart plan for foreign nations to exhibit was supported by Senator Hubert H~unphrey. He also noted that Senator Ashbach, Mr. Lowell Hargens of the Farmers Union Grain Terminal Association, and businessmen in the area did not know anything of the proposed World AGROmart plan. Representatives Neil Dieterich and Walter Hansen, as well as Senator Ashbach,, were present at the meeting to obtain more information, and were introduced by Mayor Warkentien. Mr. Hanley and Mr. Nemeth presented a slide presentation that showed the various proposals, including office space, convention halls, a race track, hotels, exhibit space, mono-rail system, a shopping mall, and a domed stadium that would seat 55,000 to 70,000 people. They stated that the plans are currently in the "embryonic stage.+' It was noted that there would have to be an environmental impact study that would take a year or two, that an economic feasibility study would have to be made, and that the Fair Board, Metro Council, Executive Council of the State of Minnesota, and that the Falcon Heights City Council would yet have to make a decision. There was a question and answer session after the slide presentation that consisted of the following: Q Dr. R. C. Eggert, 1868 Simpson: "What is the role for the Village in the planning and approval or disapproval of this project? Wi11 Falcon Heights have any voice in the decisions (referend~uns)? Who are the financial backers?" Mayor Warkentien stated that the role of the Village will be the last analysis of what we would want and dontt want because an emrironmental impact study must be made. "The land is governed by the State Fair Board, and beyond that, the Metropolitan Council and the State of Minnesota have the final say. The Metropolitan Council is definitly in the picture, so what we hope to achieve with the Village Council is to have our voice heard and make it heard loud enough so that the other agencies that will be involved will listen. The matter of a referendum will probably not be in the picture." Mr. Nemeth stated that until a decision is made to do anything, there are no financial baclers. Attorney Kenecick stated that there will probably have to be some type of legislation. Q Rev. Peter Wycoff, 183~.Arona Avenue: "What political bodies must take action on this pro3ect?++ Mayor Warkentien stated that the +'State Fair Board, Metro Council, and the State of Minnesota hopefully will. Also, the legislature and th e representatives will have a definite clout in this type of development.'' FIRE REPORTS WORLD AGRIJMART _2_